I agree that Linux can be difficult to understand and use for a person new to computing. But so is windows. The fact that most of us got Windows bundled with our first PC and have been using Windows since we have been using computers makes it seem that Windows is easy to use. Computers have been considered synonymous with Windows.

Linux, particularly the newer distributions, notably Ubuntu, SUSE, Linspire and Xandros are equally, if not more user friendly than Windows and are free to use for home use (and some even for commercial use). Not to mention that most of the software that serves the same purpose in Linux as in Windows, such as the Office Suite are generally free. All in all, you  only have to spend on the hardware of your computer, the software that drives it can be had for free (legally, that is).

Even then, I have seen a very minuscule number of people using  Linux in India, generally because of the overwhelming prevalence of Windows, mostly due to unabated piracy. Another reason for this is Lack of Basic Linux Training in India. You can easily get training (ofcourse paid) in Windows from your friendly neighborhood computer centre or cyber cafe. But for Linux, only professional training is available, and that too at very exorbitant prices.

As far as I know, the only Linux training that you can get in Chandigarh is Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE) Training Course from institutes like TechnoSchool, SSI, RCC etc. But that training is inclined towards system / server administration and has very little to offer for a general home use.

If you are completely new to Linux and want to get started, the best thing you can do is to either get a good book for Linux (Linux Bible by Christopher Negus or similar) or enroll for the first module (yes, only one, that is RH033) module of RHCE from any good institute.

Asking someone to coach you privately in Linux will not work out unless you know the teacher personally. My suggestion is that if enough people are interested to learn Linux for Home Use (or SOHO use), then we can organize a small workshop and get one of the teachers from the said institute to teach the basic concepts of Linux so that we can start adoption Linux as our basic OS, instead of another OS to try out.

Another option is that, if, again enough people are interested, I, myself can give a small workshop on Linux. I gave a similar small workshop in the college I study in, to around 120 students, and the workshop was mainly targeted towards the Home Use of Linux.

I request the members of the Chandigarh Linux Group to come forward with their suggestions and / or opinions regarding this. For a city like Chandigarh, which is just turning the corner in the road to become an IT hub, we need a more technically sound society. And it is us who have to take steps to make it one.

Regards,
Nipun Jain.

PS: To contact me personally, email to jain.nipun@...

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To: linux_chandigarh@...
From: zenith_garg2000@...
Date: Fri, 3 Nov 2006 19:29:16 -0800
Subject: [linux_chandigarh] problems regarding linux

as i am new to linux,it is not able to impress me
because i am not able to install any software nor able
to listen the music as it does not support the mp3
format .

I HAVE GOT SET OF SIX CDs FROM THE DISTRIBUTOR OF THE
SUSE LINUX 10.1 BUT AFTER THE FIRST 3 CDs IT SAYS
INSTALLATION IS COMPLETE NAD WHEN I TRIED TO INSTALL
THE FOURTH CD I AM NOT ABLE TO INSTALL IT ,I HAVE
TRIED IT THROUGH THE (YAST).CAN ANY ONE GIVE ME HIS
SOME TIME SO THAT I CAN LEARN THE BASICS OF LINUX OR
CAN TELL ME THE INSTITUTE WHERE I CAN LEARN THE BASICS
OF LINUX IN CHANDIGARH SO THAT I CAN ABLE TO USE IT.

MY CONTACT NO IS 9815830625



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